Benefit set for family who lost home

Friends and neighbors are organizing a benefit fundraiser for the Shlapak family, who lost their home and narrowly escaped tragedy when a tree crashed through their roof during Storm Sandy Monday night, Oct. 29

The Shlapaks — Jack and Jennifer, and their sons Ben, Blake and Evan — are all right. They’ve all been released by Danbury Hospital, where they were taken in a harrowing ambulance ride at the height of the storm.

“Everybody’s out of the hospital,” said Bob Liu, a neighbor on Old Sib Road.

The event is a Pot Luck Dinner and Silent Auction being held at the Boys and Girls Club Sunday, Nov. 18, from 4 to 7.

Organizers are “seeking all types of products and services that can be auctioned-off,” according to a flyer they’ve created.

“The Boys and Girls Club of Ridgefield will be accepting donations until Nov. 15,” the flyer says. “For additional information contact Carol at [email protected] and/or Valerie at 203-515-6588.”

Mr. Liu described the incident as he’d heard it described during a dinner with the Shlapaks last week at the home of Michael Ryan and Carol Killian of Old Sib Road, who were first neighbors on the scene Monday night.

“The kids were eating when a tree fell right through their family room,” Mr. Liu said. “Blake and Ben were hurt, and Evan ran to the neighbors house to get help.”

After the storm last week the family was staying with friends who live in the area, he said.

“They’ve had lots of offers and they’re appreciative of everything,” Mr. Liu said.